Turn Up The Strobe: The KLF, The JAMS, The Timelords - A History Paperback – 7 August 2017

This book tells it like it is. Straightforward but in depth history of the men behind some classic moments in modern British art and music.

This is quite a detailed and informative account of Bill Drummond and Jim Cauty’s journey through the music business and the resulting formation of KLF Communications and all the groups/acts associated with it.Beginning with their earlier days in the record industry, the opening two chapters are divided between Cauty and Drummond so as to follow their courses through the industry individually before they come together. Some of this material is, perhaps, in some ways more interesting as it covers areas not so famously reported on before.Inevitably once The KLF engine gets going to full effect a lot of the content is quite familiar to those even with minimal knowledge of them. There is also a slight leaning to the narrative towards becoming a bit of a list at times. Even so, there is plenty to be learnt about other acts they were associated with, influenced or helped to establish from famous acts such as Echo and the Bunnyman and The Orb to lesser known ones such as Disco 2000 and Brilliant.Despite the author’s declaration that this book is about The KLF themselves rather than their ‘stunts’ or ‘philosophies’ some of this content inevitably slips into the narrative. He sticks to this as best he can but it is virtually impossible to divorce the KLF’s music endeavours from their extraneous activities and exploits. They are an integral part of The KLF.Even so, the book culminates with the build up to the notorious burning of a million pounds opting to end its account of The KLF’s activities on 22nd August 1994, the day before said event took place and the resulting ‘twenty-three years of silence’ due to end today.The book therefore doesn’t go on from this point and there is no inclusion of Drummond and Cauty’s post KLF exploits by 2K, the K-Foundation decision to release ‘The Magnificent’ or the delivering of poetry around the Irish counties.Overall, this book clearly shows that there was infinitely more to The KLF than half a dozen massive hit singles or the burning of some money; the two things they have become predominately and historically known for, overshadowing much else of what they have done.One thing the book makes clear is that there is no way of knowing what The KLF will do next. And after ‘twenty-three years of silence’ welcome to the dark ages.

A very absorbing biography of the KLF. I wish I had their commitment and resources to live my life like this. Working on it :).

I loved the KLF from the Pure Trance version of ‘What Time is Love?’ during my acid house days. I was looking for some holiday reading and thought this would be a nice bit of nostalgia. I saw John Higgs book, but thought this would be a lighter read. It’s fab.My only criticism, and the reason for not giving it five stars, is that it takes a while to get started. Whilst the exploration of the early 80s Liverpool music scene that Bill Drummond was involved in, is interesting trivia about bands I grew up listening to, I became desperate to start reading about what happened once Drummond and Cauty got together.I get that understanding Drummond’s disillusionment with the music industry once he was in A&R at Warner is fundamental to understanding what drove the KLF, and that bit is worthwhile, but the early part could be condensed.Having said that, once we get to Bill and Jimmy and the JAMS, this book is fantastic! Given that it’s not official and Ian Shirley couldn’t get interviews with Drummond and Cauty, he’s done a great job of piecing together the narrative from press interviews at the time and contributions from people who were in and around the band and there for all the key events.Stories about how they did things like the ‘Grim Up North’ video and Jimmy being at Housing Association meetings about his squat when he’d just appeared on TOTP are great fun to read.If you remember the JAMS/KLF, you’ll love this book. If only there were bands with this kind of attitude around now!I’ll probably move on to John Higgs book as further reading for a deeper look at the ideology and philosophy driving the band, but this is exactly what I was looking for - a joyful, nostalgic look at a band that stuck two fingers up at the industry at every opportunity and produced great music to boot! Loved it!

Great book, great read and the JAMM’s.